Teen Pleads No Contest In Slaying

TITUSVILLE — An 18-year-old man pleaded no contest to murder and burglary Tuesday in the death of a West Melbourne businessman and agreed to testify against another man charged in the crime.

Bruce Haskell of Melbourne was set to go to trial Tuesday on charges of premeditated murder, burglary and grand theft but pleaded no contest to the lesser charges in exchange for receiving no more than 15 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Charles Harris will sentence him on Aug. 15.

As part of the plea bargain, Haskell agreed to testify against Wilburn Lamb, 17, of Melbourne, who faces similar charges.

In his statement to deputies, Haskell said Lamb repeatedly clubbed Karl Eberenz, 67, on Jan. 20 in his West Melbourne apartment after he walked in while the two were burglarizing it.

Haskell said he only watched the slaying and at one point begged Lamb to stop hitting Eberenz with a hammer and call an ambulance.

During the incident, Eberenz was robbed of $500 and jewerly, court records show.